Innholdsfortegnelse for 6/29/2022 Summer Special! i Classic Car Buyer

Where would the classic vehicle scene be without our open-top options? A much less interesting place, is the obvious answer. Sports cars, cabriolets and convertibles make up such a major part of the historic vehicle movement, it’s hard to imagine life without them. And although many of us can no longer enjoy the sensation of wind through our hair, even the most follicly challenged enthusiast still gets a kick out of open-top motoring. We’re rapidly heading towards the summer holidays, of course, when the idea of cruising around in your own classic convertible holds the most appeal. So, for this special 72-page issue of CCB, we’re taking a look at 18 top buys for summer 2022 – and with all eras from the 1950s to the early 2000s covered, there’s…

Morgan Motor Company has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging its support to those who serve and have served their nation. The signing of the Covenant furthers the work the company is already engaged in with Mission Motorsport, the armed forces’ motorsport charity The Malvern-based company has already employed several service leavers and has a reservist policy in place. In addition, a joint motorsport project between Morgan, Mission Motorsport and the University of Wolverhampton saw the creation of a specially adapted Plus Four race car to allow paraplegic veterans the opportunity to compete using hand controls. At the event to mark the signing of the Covenant, Steve Binns, a Mission Motorsport beneficiary, was reunited with the Plus Four that he’d raced last November at Anglesey Circuit for the Race of…

CITROËN TRACTION AVANT (1933-1955) In 1933, the Citroën Traction Avant must have looked as advanced as the DS did two decades later. Low slung, with a far more rakish shape than its contemporaries, and with front-wheel drive for improved roadholding, it was a far cry from the conventional models the company had been producing. Even by the end of its production life, it looked up to date against cars like the Riley RM and even the Wolseley 6/80 in Britain – to say nothing of introducing the world to hydropneumatic suspension and the hatchback configuration. It seems surprising therefore that these cars are still affordable. Broadly, there are two body sizes to choose from with the four-cylinder engine; the larger also has a six-cylinder option. We’ll ignore the coupe and…

It’s hard to imagine more of a contrast between a brand new model and its immediate predecessor than there was between the MGA of 1955 and the last of the MG TFs. Influenced strongly by the EX 175 experimental car, the new ’A was MG’s most radical departure to date, as well as saviour of the marque in the second half of the ’50s. The MGA looked sensational and attracted attention worldwide. Biggest demand came from the USA, where buyers couldn’t get enough of the Abingdon-built roadster. In fact, the MGA holds the all-time record for the highest percentage of export sales, with just 5869 right- hand drive cars being released for British customers. The revolution didn’t continue under the bonnet, however, where BMC’s 1489cc B-series engine plodded along with…

While the original Sprite-inspired Midget dates back to 1961, what we’re interested in here is the ‘rubber bumper’ derivative that first saw the light of day in late 1974 – and which continues to offer the best Midget value today, despite its looks being perhaps less controversial than they once were. The story behind the new-look Midget for the mid-1970s is well known. Impending American safety legislation saw it fitted with new 5mph impact-absorbing bumpers, a raised ride height (which helped explain why its handling wasn’t as sharp as before) and improved performance. Taken straight from the Triumph Spitfire, meanwhile, the newcomer’s powerplant provided a top speed of over 100mph, with 60 coming up in around 12 seconds – although as with all Midgets, the 1500 felt a whole lot…

Anyone in the market for an open-top version of the long-running Jaguar XJ-S finally had their wish come true via the arrival of the XJ-SC in 1983, a model that featured targa-style removable hardtop panels and a fold-down rear window. It was the closest that Jaguar had come to creating a ragtop version of its sporting coupe (which was already eight years old by then), but inevitably there were enthusiasts who still craved a full convertible. And fortunately for them, Jaguar management was listening. The arrival of the logically-named XJ-S Convertible in 1988, replacing the XJ-SC in the process, brought with it a newly strengthened bodyshell to ensure extra rigidity. And what an impressive looking vehicle it was, finally providing XJ-S fans with one of the most elegant soft-top experiences…

With the closure of MG’s historic Abingdon factory in 1980, not even the most optimistic enthusiast could have predicted that a sensational new mid-engined two-seater MG would be taking the sports car market by storm just 15 years later. Yet that’s exactly what happened in 1995 with the launch of the all-important MGF. Despite the fact that the MGF was largely made up of Rover Group parts from across the company’s range, the end product was praised by press and public alike. It had to be good, of course, to stand a chance of beating the Mazda MX-5 at its own game; but Rover’s engineers did an excellent job of creating a genuinely competitive sportster on what was then a tight budget. Don’t be put off by the fact the…

Although it had been on sale for a year by the time the 1971 Earl’s Court Motor Show was in full swing, the third-generation Viva was still big news for Vauxhall. Taking pride of place on the company’s stand, this two-door De Luxe attracted plenty of attention at the show – and not just because of its then-unusual whitewall tyres. The HC proved to be the longest-lived of all Vivas, remaining in production through to 1979, by which time almost 550,000 saloons and more than 91,000 estates had found buyers. The HC also formed the basis of a number of niche-market models, including the bigger-engined (1.8- and 2.3-litre) Magnum saloon and the Firenza coupe. By the time this photograph was taken in ’71, the regular Viva still employed 1159cc power,…

When our MD, Phil, offered to grab the polish and a cloth to give our low-mileage 1987 Ford Orion a quick once-over at the Bromley Pageant of Motoring, we couldn’t resist taking this snap. The car itself has seen little use, having covered just 13,000 miles from new. It’s currently in the hands of editor Paul, who reports that it’s a pleasure to drive and still feels as ‘tight’ as it no doubt did 35 years ago. The Orion might not be an exciting choice… but when did you last see one in regular use?…

Mazda has announced that its 1991 Le Mans-winning 787B will take part in demonstration laps at this year’s Le Mans Classic, which takes place from June 30 to July 3. The four-rotor Mazda 787B became the first Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans when Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weidler took the flag 31 years ago. For the first time in almost a decade, spectators will be able to witness the distinctive sound of the 787B’s rotary engine echoing around the famous French circuit. Back in June 1991, the 787B covered 362 laps of Le Mans. Over the course of its 28 pit stops, the winning Mazda received just one oil top-up, a change of brake discs and pads, plus a nose change. Aside from…

Sign up to our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk New research from a specialist classic vehicle industry report shows that when compared to modern vehicles, classic cars are much less damaging to the environment. The report compares the average classic’s emissions with the carbon footprint involved in producing a brand new vehicle. Conducted by specialist insurance provider Footman James, the Indicator Report shows that two-thirds of classic car enthusiasts are already concerned about climate change, with over 50 per cent open to further benefiting the environment with emissions offsetting schemes. Running to over 50 pages, the Indicator Report covers the environmental impact of classic cars in depth. Statistics in the extensive report show that the average classic car – travelling a national UK yearly average of 1200 miles – generates 563kg of…

Summer’s here… and with it comes a desire to climb aboard your own classic convertible and head for your favourite B-road. But which are today’s best buys – and what makes them so special? Read on to find the 18 models that we think are the top choices for summer 2022, with something here to suit most budgets and to appeal to all tastes. All eras from the 1950s to the early 2000s are covered, with everything from basic roadsters to V8-powered grand tourers included. So, whatever your taste in open-top classics, check out our recommendations in the pages ahead……

The long-running TR story began at the 1952 Earl’s Court Motor Show, where Triumph exhibited the one-off 20TS sports car based around a modified Standard Flying 9 chassis, employing the engine and gearbox of the Vanguard and the rear axle and front suspension of the Triumph Mayflower. It needed further development, however, resulting in the production-ready TR2 being unveiled at the Geneva show of 1953. Production wouldn’t get under way until July of that year, and took a while to ramp up enough for supply to match demand. By the end of 1953, only around 300 cars had been built, though this number would increase dramatically the following year. The TR2 underwent numerous upgrades during its career, with a factory hardtop being launched in 1954, with the car’s doors also…

Launched as a replacement for the innovative but expensive to produce first-generation Elite of 1957-64, the exciting new Lotus Elan arrived on the scene in 1962, initially in roadster guise but followed by a hardtop the following year (and a coupe by 1965). And it was the Elan that set the trend for the next few generations of Lotus road cars. Crucially, this was the first Lotus sportster to employ the now famous steel backbone chassis and glassfibre body combination that Lotus – and plenty of its rivals – would enjoy success with in the future. And by keeping the car’s overall weight down to a mere 1500lb, the Elan embodied Chapman’s obsession with lightweight design. This was an advanced car in other ways too, with 1963-on models employing a…

You don’t have to be a classic Mercedes expert to recognise the R107-generation SL as one of the world’s most successful ‘grand tourers’. It remained in production for 18 years from its launch in 1971, and even towards the end of its long run the SL was still considered one of the most desirable upmarket sportsters on sale. The original R107 was the V8-engined 350SL, joined by the 450SL in 1973. The more affordable six-cylinder 280SL was added the following year, while 1980 saw the 380SL and 500SL replacing the previous two V8s. A general update for 1986 brought a new engine line-up comprising the six-cylinder 300SL and two new V8s (the 420SL and rarer 560SL flagship). At the same time, a new four-speed automatic gearbox was launched. Which version…

The 1980s might have seen the decline of the traditional two-seater sports car, but there was no stopping the four-seater soft-top – with the Golf shown here being by far the most successful. Mind you, not even the most optimistic prophet at Volkswagen could have envisaged the success of the Golf Cabriolet when the model first took a bow in 1980, or how long a career it would enjoy. By the time the last one finally rolled off the production line at German specialists Karmann in 1993, an impressive 400,871 examples had found buyers – a remarkable achievement by any standards. A wide array of Golf Cabriolet derivatives arrived over the years, ranging from less performance-orientated 1.5-litre models through to the 1.8 GTI, the latter offering 112bhp. Among the most…

Jaguar introduced its all-new XK8 – available in coupe and convertible guises – in 1996 as a direct replacement for the aged XJS. To match its handsome looks were power and performance in abundance, thanks to the XK8’s all-new 290bhp 4.0-litre V8 (known as the AJ-V8) which provided an artificially limited top speed of 155mph, with 0-60 in just 6.4 seconds. A year later came the even faster XKR derivatives, boasting a whopping 370bhp via the addition of a supercharger. Even the standard XK8’s powerplant was a gem, this all-new 32-valve V8 offering plenty of grunt throughout the rev range, with a hefty 290lb.ft. of torque developed at 4250rpm. With its mighty power fed through five-speed ZF automatic transmission, the resulting driving style was fast and effortless in equal measure.…

Fans of the Blue Oval’s finest don’t have long to wait now for the Classic Ford Show, which takes place on Sunday, July 10 at its new home of the South of England Showground, Ardingley, West Sussex. Tickets are still available, priced at £22 per adult when booked in advance – with children under 14 allowed in free of charge. This year’s promises to be a spectacular event, with the venue playing host to pre-2002 Fords of all types and their enthusiastic owners. Among the many attractions will be a special Pride of Ownership competition featuring some of the best-presented classic Fords in the country, plus a unique 1980s Heroes Display for fans of the decade that brought us the XR family, the 2.8-litre Capri and the Sierra RS Cosworth.…

Letchworth Motor Auctions will be hosting its inaugural Classic, Retro & Performance Cars sale on Saturday, July 9, with an estimated 40-50 cars set to be offered. Classic auctioneer Jim Ronan will be wielding the gavel, with the company already planning its second classic auction for October 29. Lots on offer include a 1980 Rolls-Royce Corniche in Caribbean Aqua Blue, a car that’s undergone £25,000 of work (including a full engine rebuild and conversion to fuel-injection) and carries an estimate of £32,500-£36,500. A 1949 Triumph Roadster that was rescued from a barn in 1981 and restored over a two-year period is also up for sale, with a guide of £25,000-£30,000. Cars from just about every era will be available, with the eclectic list featuring such diverse models as a 1961…

The Triumph 2000 Register held its first National in three years at Whitehill Country Park, Paignton, over the weekend of June 11/12. From a membership of over 700, around 130 made it to south Devon, with more than 50 Triumphs taking part in the Register’s concours d’elegance – including some from overseas. The Register’s chosen charity this year was the RNLI, with over £500 being raised for this worthy cause during the weekend. The concours awards included Pete Watson winning Best Mk1 2000 and Wayne Bendall taking Best Mk2 with his 2500S. The Best Performance Modified trophy went to Adrian Hadfield with his 2500S, while Best Daily Driver award went to Dylan Day for his 2000 Mk2. Car of the show, voted for by members, was awarded to Darren Stone…

Charterhouse will hope to build upon recent successful sales with another outing to the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset on July 6. The auction catalogue is especially intriguing this time out, with rare examples of traditional British classics entered alongside European and American icons. Viewing is available during the day on Tuesday, July 5, as well as in the morning prior to the auction’s midday start. It’s set to be a good sale for Jaguar fans, with a 1960 Mk2 3.4 that’s been in the same family for 62 years carrying an estimate of £17,000-£19,000, and an older stablemate in the form of a 1956 Mk1 2.4 expected to command £13,000-£15,000. In addition you’ll find a 1991 XJS 4.0 Coupe at an estimated £8500-£9500, plus a 2001 XJR with a…

The Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1 – better known by its nickname of ‘Frogeye’ in the UK and ‘Bugeye’ in the USA – enjoyed only a short career, and yet its influence on the British sports car scene was immense. It evolved into the Sprite Mk2 after just three years on sale, with that newcomer of 1961 being joined by the badge-engineered MG Midget that went on to be a big seller for Abingdon, remaining in production for an impressive 18 years. Any Sprite or Midget is fun to drive, of course, but you’ll struggle to beat the original 1958-61 ‘Frogeye’ for sheer charm. The idea behind the Sprite was simple. BMC could see a market for a small, low-cost sports car that combined lively performance with reasonable running costs. And the…

Launched for the 1969 model year but with sales properly getting under way by the start of the ’70s, the latest member of the long-running TR family ushered in a muscular new style. It also marked the start of a fresh era for Triumph, which suddenly found itself under a new corporate umbrella, a process that began when new owner Leyland Motors merged with British Motor Holdings (owner of the previous BMC brands, as well as Jaguar) to create what would be known as British Leyland Motor Corporation. Suddenly, major British marques like Austin, Morris, Wolseley, Riley and, of course, MG now found themselves in the same industrial bed as Rover and Triumph. And on the sports car front, that inevitably meant some in-house rivalry between Abingdon and Coventry. The…

If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, Volkswagen must have felt more flattered than most other manufacturers in the 1980s. Not only was its hot hatch invention taking off in a big way by the start of the decade, its clever transformation of the Golf hatchback into a stylish soft-top was also copied by many of its rivals in Europe. And that included Ford, whose Mk3 Escort – the first generation to feature front-wheel drive and a hatchback layout – took a bow in late 1980. It was an important development in the market, for the 1980s was a decade of decline for the traditional two-seater sports car. In its place came a plethora of hot hatches, which led to a succession of four-seater convertibles based around them.…

Unveiled in 1989 and finally going on sale in the UK the following year, the first-generation MX-5 reinvented the affordable two-seater roadster, bringing back to life a sector that had been in decline throughout the ’80s. The new MX-5 was curvaceous, cute and full of character. From its pop-up headlamps to its rounded tail, the car’s proportions were simply perfect – as was the overall spec. The decision to make the newcomer front-engined and rear-wheel drive was vital to its long-term appeal, with Mazda’s engineers adamant that the MX-5 had to offer the traditional feel of a 1960s British sports car within a modern, reliable package. What surprised some onlookers was that the MX-5 initially came with only a 114bhp, 1.6-litre engine – albeit a 16-valve twin-cam design with a…

After two generations of coupe-style MR2s with only the targa-top option to provide wind-in-the-hair fun, Toyota had a change of plan for the Mk3 – codenamed W30 – by going for the full soft-top approach. It finally put Toyota on an equal footing with the likes of Mazda and MG, enabling it to compete with the MX-5 and ’F/TF roadsters respectively. On sale in the UK from 2000, the W30 proved to be another successful model, answering the prayers of budget-conscious sports car buyers who found the MR2’s two main rivals simply too predictable. And of course, there was no knocking the MR2 as a driver’s car, aided by a kerb weight of less than a tonne – making it lighter and nimbler than its predecessors, as well as a…

The Jaguar XJ40 might have been a sharp new offering in the mid-1980s, but by the following decade it was looking a little bit elderly. Everyone else was rounding off sharp edges, so why not Jaguar? Plans for a new large saloon called XJ90 had gone awry; but by grafting the nose and tail of XJ90 onto the XJ40, Jaguar could make an old design look state of the art. The planned V8 wasn’t ready though, so Jaguar planned to overhaul the AJ6 from the outgoing model in order to eke out a few more years. The new engine was called the AJ16 and it debuted in the X300 for 1994. Softer lines, softer trimmings and a cleverly considered model range meant this car would prove to be one of…

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In 1968, Rootes Group offered what it called a “new deal to families bored by family cars” – the rakish Sunbeam Rapier, billed in advertising as “the new British dream”. But then the advent of Ford’s Capri (with the similar but more evocative tagline of “the car you always promised yourself”) blunted the Rapier’s progress. Despite Rootes’ skilful use of its battle-hardened 1725cc engine to create three distinct models – Alpine (74bhp), Rapier (88bhp), H120 (110bhp) – by 1969, it was no match for Ford’s expansive Capri range, whose 1600 and 2000 four-cylinder models encircled the Rapier, started with the lowly but accessible 1300 and went far beyond into high-performance V6 and V8 models depending on territory. By 1976, it was all over for the Rapier; two years earlier, Ford…